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reverie-verse · 7 months

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Forbidden Attachments- Anakin Skywalker x Reader

Prompt:The reader was in love with Anakin, takes places after ATOC and the beginning of the CW and when Anakin has a padawan. You left the Jedi order because you thought Anakin was in love with Padme. You were in love with Anakin. You take off and live on another planet. Anakin, Ahoska, Obi Wan and Rex make a pit stop on your planet without even realizing it…

This is angst and fluff, I didn’t grammar check it per usual 😭 I gotta stop doing that. Ummmmm I was gonna write a part two that included smut, but then I thought it was too long. Soooo let me know in the comments if I should or not! Thanks, hope you enjoy!🫶🏽

My REQUESTS ARE OPEN!!!!!!!

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The day you left the order was the hardest decision you’ve ever made. It wasn’t because of false accusations or because you believed that the sith could help you achieve goals the Jedi couldn’t. No it was one specific rule, one specific code. Attachments are Forbidden. Love was forbidden and you were in love with Anakin, your best friend. It wasn't his fault, you couldn’t really blame him for it, not when there was a rule set for the Jedi. However it didn’t stop the pain that ripped through your chest and into your heart and mind. There was no easy way to handle it, the love that you craved only to realize he’s never cared for you the way you hoped.

It was a memory you wished you could forget. The day you watched Padme grasp Anakin’s arm, pulling him into her room, late into the night. The way he looked at her, as if she was the only girl in the galaxy. She looked up at him with a sweet smile, warm and welcoming, he let her guide him to her bedroom. It was an accident really how you stumbled upon them, you had just finished your nightly routine of patrol. Of course the entire time your mind was lingering on Anakin, but when you stepped into that hallway everything changed. You left swiftly with no hesitation, your mind bursting in chaos, your feet carried you to your room. Your hands getting ready to pack your bags. You felt a thousand emotions, you felt betrayed, you thought maybe you were wrong. You wished you could go back and erase it all. You loved him and your heart hurt realizing that it could never be. You knew leaving the order was stupid, there were more pressing issues than your stupid emotions. But you had already dedicated most of your life to the cause. You were selfish with your emotions. You chose to leave anyway….

You figured no one would come looking for you, that you could get away so easily, and by the time they figured you were gone it would be too late. You grabbed your bag, slinging it over your shoulder. You knew the schedule of all the guards and both Anakin and Obi Wan’s. You knew by now that Anakin was still with Padme, he had the evening and night off. Obi Wan had retired to bed, but you knew he would be in the process of mediating. You slipped past the guards going through the back hallway, your movement quiet. You knew that you couldn’t take any of Naboo’s ships or your own which meant that you needed to travel into the outskirts. You found a speeder taking off into the city, traveling as far and as fast as you could go. You weren’t worried about anything other than getting off of this planet and away from Coruscant. Everything else will come later.

By morning Anakin had emerged from his bedroom, he was lucky he made it back in time before you or Obi Wan could notice he wasn’t in his room. His mind wandered back to Padme. The way she caressed his skin, touched him, the way he touched her, the way he kissed her…As he walked down the hallway towards the meeting area, Obi Wan was talking to a Nabooian guard, Captain Typho. Anakin squinted his eyes following Obi Wan’s hand, and in his hand was your distinguished sleek black hilt of a lightsaber and your Padawan braid. Obi Wan shook his head before turning away from Captain Typho. His eyes landed on Anakin’s, he sighed as he walks over to him, a heavy sadness echoed around him.

“ Master, what's wrong? Where is Y/N?”

“Anakin, Y/N never returned from her patrol last night. The ruminants left are her padawan braid and lightsaber. I am sorry” Obi Wan patted his shoulder, Anakin shook his head.

“ No then we must find out who took her!”

“ My young padawan, I’m afraid that’s not the case. It seems she’s left the Jedi order”

“She can’t leave, we still have our trials to finish, she can’t-“

“ But she has”

“ You’re wrong, she wouldn’t do that.” Anakin shakes his head, Padme who had been informed of the situation had walked over to offer her condolences.

“ Anakin, she made her choice, whatever reason it might’ve been, it was enough for her to doubt our practices. I am truly sorry, she was not just my padawan but my friend too” Obi Wan sighed again before turning away from his own padawan. Obi Wan could guess why you left, it was the same reason that he felt for Satine if she ever asked him to leave. Obi Wan was not blinded but he opted to remain out of personal affairs. Attachments always bring pain and heartbreak, it’s a hard lesson to learn when you’ve already crossed the threshold.

“Why would she leave, she would’ve told me if she planned to leave! We need to bring her back!” Anakin was in disbelief that you would just leave without so much of a goodbye. This wasn’t like you, to hide secrets from him, to hide your feelings from one another. The two of you were always good about that, and for you to just leave as if your friendship meant nothing. Padme placed a hand on Anakin’s arm, gently caressing it. Anakin subconsciously leaned into her touch hoping it might ease his pain that he felt, that ached in his chest and heart It only brought him momentarily relief. The rest of the duration of the mission, he focused on his trials, if you were there you would’ve made sure he passed. Anakin carried your lightsaber and padawan braid with him. As a reminder of you, but when the pain became too much he went right back to Padme…

———-

It’s been a year and a half since you’ve left the order, you found yourself a home on Aurea in the city of Shakamm Crater. Aurea is known for many trades and skills, it was a planet of opportunity. Though the planet was mostly known for its glasswork. You however were lucky enough to work as an artisan providing basic needs on droid or ship maintenance. You wanted the least exposing job that you could do and matched whatever skills you’ve learned in the temple. With much ease the planet you picked was filled with millions of people, which brought a comfort to you, to know that you would never be found.

It was night fall by now, you had gotten home maybe an hour or two ago, a small humble two story abode that was yours. Your home has an open floor plan, you were lucky to live on the edge of the city, you got to overlook the area and the outskirts. The climate based on the tropics, the vibrant colors of the sea, land and sky ease your aching heart. You wore a tank top and shorts to cool your body down, a gentle breeze swept past your light curtain. You walked over pushing the cotton material to the side, you sat down on the window seat. You leaned your elbow onto the windowsill resting your chin in your hand. The moon's light streaming through your bedroom. You shut your eyes staying in the present moment fighting off your memories of the life you once lived.

—

A brief image of you sitting near a window flashes through Anakin’s mind. He places a hand on his forehead, his eyes shutting just for a moment or two. Rex turned to look at his General

“ Sir are you alright?”

“ Yeah I’m just fine Rex” He grumbled. This has been a recurrence since you’d left the order, day and night you were on his mind. The visions or memories were often unprovoked. They happened during meditation sessions, randomly when he’s calm and relaxed. Even when he slept his dreams were only of you. Anakin wasn’t sure why it was like this, you’ve been gone for so long, yet you’re everywhere. His mind tormented him everyday and not a single person could help him ease his pain. Not his padawan, his old Master, not even Padme.

“ Wherever we are, I hope this place has a repair shop and a fuel station.” Ahsoka says as the transport ship rocks aggressively.

“ We are near the planet Aurea, let’s land in Shakamm Crater, they should have a station nearby” Obi Wan says as he checks the scanners.

“ Great” Anakin replies as he pressed a few buttons on the control Panel, Ahsoka and Obi Wan do the same. Anakin nods his head towards Rex. Rex began to slow down the ship as it passed through its orbit and then through its atmosphere. The sun’s burning glow hit the planet signaling that it was daylight.

“There’s a station up ahead” Anakin points out as he helps Rex fly the ship closer, landing it on a dock. There lied an assortment of ships, workers and droids, sparks floated in the air, sounds of mechanical noise sounded off in various directions. Workers shouted at each other from opposite sides of the station. Once the ship was landed, Rex, Ahsoka, Obi Wan and Anakin exited the ship looking for a worker to speak to. Obi Wan and Anakin both decided that this was their task. To be honest the task was rather easy, a worker walked up to them wiping off the grease from their hands.

“ We need new power sources, at least a new wing engine, we need fuel” Anakin lists off.

“Uh that’s gonna take at least a week or two to fix, what did you do get attacked by pirates or something?” The worker tells him and his partner.

“ Never mind that, We will pay you handsomely to fix it in a few days” Obi Wan offers.

“ What do you got in mind” The worker and Obi Wan continued their conversation, Anakin however drifted off, his eyes wandering the surrounding area, scanning for anything suspicious or unusual. Though that wasn’t exactly entirely true, he felt something, something specific, something familiar. Anakin wasn’t certain, but he could’ve sworn he thought he felt a familiar presence. Anakin searches through the force anyways, he wanted to make sure what he thought he felt was a lie. So he presses further his force hoping from person to person until he felt it again. This time it was more like a tug, a pull, something was drawing him in. His eyes followed that invisible line, leading to the very thing he dreamt of. It was as if time seemed to have slowed down incredibly, Anakin sucked in a breath, his chest tightening.

There you were burning bright as a thousand suns, the energy in which the force depicted you as. Anakin was captivated by your beauty. Your hair placed in a style that kept it from falling in your face, you had worn a uniform jumpsuit that the sleeves were tied around your waist, exposing your tank top. You had grease and dirt smeared on your hands, arms, and a little on your neck and forehead. Even with that you were still gorgeous. You were concentrating on your work. You sat down with one leg folded and the other leg dangling off the wing of the ship. You took apart one area of the top of the wing for another ship a few paces away. A worker had walked over shouting something at you. Your once serious expression turns into a smile, your lips form words before your unmistakable laughter leaves them. Your friend nodded as they threw their hands up in a dramatic gesture. They must’ve shouted something back at you causing you to shake your head and mouth something back. They had waved goodbye to you before walking away. You shook your head hoping off the wing. You reached for your backpack, looking up as you did so. What you hadn’t expected was there to be eyes already on you.

Anakin inhaled a sharp breath as your eyes connected, an unforgettable bond between the two of you snapping into place. The force grows tugging on each end for the both of you to meet in the middle. Your breathing picks up, your heart lurches forward breaking into the last few surviving pieces you had left. You didn’t want to admit that after all this time you still loved him. That he still looked as handsome as the day you first met. You realized that he no longer had a padawan braid meaning he passed the trials. He had a gloved hand, and his hair grew a few inches longer since the last time you had seen him. A scar cut from the top of his eyebrow to his cheek, his blue eyes peering into your soul. You had heard stories about him, and as he stood before you his reputation preceded him. He was intense as he had always been, but the boyish energy stayed, you could see it behind his eyes. always seemed to find a way to peer into your soul…You cut off your thoughts noticing that Anakin took a step forward, you took a step back, with so much distance between you two, you weren’t going to risk anything. The trust you had once was gone, the love you still felt you shoved back into a box.

Your eyes quickly scanned the people around him, Obi Wan and Ahsoka inch closer calling out his name, but his eyes stayed trained on you. Obi Wan mouths something to him but he doesn’t listen and says nothing. Obi Wan's gaze follows Anakin’s, his eyes landing on yours, he mouths your name. The slow motion of the world comes to a halt, reality bending back into its original form, you break out into a run. Anakin shouts to stay with the ship to Obi Wan and Ahsoka. Somewhere in between he shouts your name “ Y/N?!” You ignore him as you book it across the station for the exit. You pushed through people slamming into them by accident shouting out a sorry every now and then. You tried to dodge and weave, breaking out a zig zag pattern hoping to lose them. You had seen a speeder sitting on the side of the road, not caring who it belonged to, you threw your stuff in the back, climbing in the driver's seat. Once you started it, you took off, Anakin barely making it outside enough to see you disappear. Anakin’s eyes searched for another speeder to get into and he does. Anakin was relentless, he refused to let you go, not this time.

As you reached your home you clumsily parked the speeder rushing to get inside. You needed to leave here immediately, there were three Jedi and only you. Of course the council would send them to find you. You left without saying a word, you left during a mission. Maybe they would put you on trial or exile you or even send you to prison for disappearing. Foolish thoughts but very realistic possibilities, you had no idea what the Jedi were capable of. All you knew was that you didn’t want to go back. You stormed through your home running to grab your go bag that you had already packed in case of emergencies. Your heart had completely fallen apart, you loved this planet, you loved the people you’ve become friends with. You loved the work you did, and the home you lived in. What you hated was how easy it was for it to be taken from you within an instant. Your feet bounded down the stairs, you didn’t have time to take one final look at your home. You barely got to the front door, before it opened. Anakin stepped through the door, forcing you to take steps back.

You put distance between the two of you. Anakin seemed to follow you anyways. You took another step back as he took another step forward. He was silent, his jaw tense and set, his eyebrows scrunched together. He should feel shocked and surprised and excited to see you, but that all disappeared when you ran away, again. Now he was hurt and angry. He tried to corner you but you were smarter than that, you made sure there was space all around you. Anakin fought the urge to smirk even with his anger, a slight tint of playfulness etched through him. Almost as if he had drifted back in time to the many training sessions the two of you shared. You knew each other like the back of your hands.

“ Why did you run?” He asks you. At first it was meant in the sense of the earlier situation but really deep down he asked why you ran away without a second thought.

“ What do you mean why did I run? You brought two other Jedi to the planet I call home! You can’t expect me not to run!” You retorted.

“ No, you know exactly what I’m asking you! You were once a Jedi, the temple was your home!”

“ It was once my home…but I was never a Jedi.” You could feel the sad aching feeling in your chest. You fought back whatever emotions you had harbored for your old life.

“You’re wrong, you were always meant to be a Jedi. We talked for hours about what our life would be like. When we had finished our trials. To be Jedi knights, to become masters. We were supposed to do this together.“

“ Anakin, those were false pretenses, false dreams that weren’t meant to come true..”

“ Why are you saying this?”

“ Because it’s the truth”

“ it’s not the truth and you know it”

“But it is Anakin”

“ You’re wrong, why did you really leave?”

“ I can’t…”

“You can’t?”

“ No”

“ Why?! Why won’t you tell me?!”

“ Just let it go!”

“ No, I just I need to know”

“ Anakin” You shook your head as tears filled your eyes. You tried to make yourself look like the bad guy, as if you weren’t meant for the life of a Jedi. Really you avoided speaking about the love you held for him, in fear that he may still every well be with Padme. In fear that maybe he might feel the same for you. In fear that even when this is all said and done you’d end up alone, either in a cell or in your own home. You fought hard, to keep the tears at bay, your walls were slipping, you were exhausted, your past finally catching up to you.

Anakin could sense the war within yourself, he was breaking through to you, but even as out of practice you were, your mind created a barrier around itself, keeping your thoughts hidden. Anakin wanted to reach out, to caress your skin, to pull you into his arms, watching you hold back your own tears was heart wrenching. He watched as a tear rolled down your cheek. Your eyebrows scrunched in anger as you wiped the silent tear away with your hand. You crossed your arms around yourself turning away from him. Anakin takes a gentle step towards you. What had gotten you so crushed and defeated that you had to run away.

“ Tell me,” He whispers, pleading for an answer.

Your eyebrows twist as you place a hand over your mouth, you are on the brink of a melt down. Everything is settling around you, the reality of the conversation weighing heavier by the second. The forces of presence surround the both of you, enhancing each other's emotions and senses. Anakin takes another step, placing a hand on your shoulder. Your body tenses, for a moment you felt it all, the comfort you found within one another. The friendship you both built together, the love and warmth, the support, all of it. Only for a moment did you fully remember who your best friend was, only for a moment you remember who you used to be. The tears flowed with out warning, you adjusted yourself so you could stepped out of his grasp, his touch burned. But your heart betrayed you, it yearned for the touch that meant to soothe you.

“ Y/N” he whispers to you, calling your name out more ways than one.

“ I saw you with Padme” You whispered, turning to look him in the eyes.

“ What”

“ You both looked so in love-” You smiled sadly as the tears slid down your cheeks staining them.

“ How did you-“

“ I was on patrol that night. I didn’t mean to walk down the hallway, but I wanted the extra time to myself…I was torn between being a Jedi and being in love with someone I shouldn’t have. Then there the two of you were, and the decision was clear. I couldn’t have both, I couldn’t be a Jedi and be in love. I couldn’t be in love and be a jedi. I couldn’t talk to anyone, and if I did I would’ve been expelled or worse…So I left as quickly as I could” You sighed, whipped your cheeks, you shook your head as you looked at the floor. You could see the confusion flash on Anakin’s face. Anakin must admit it was a little bit easier to understand being in love, but now Anakin couldn’t grasp in his mind that you would be interested in anyone.

“ Who was it”

“ Who was what?” You sniffled your tears slowing down.

“ Who were you in love with?”

“ It doesn’t matter, because he doesn’t love me” You shrug, offering him another sorrowful smile.

“How do you know?”

“ Because I already told you I saw him with someone.”

“ You-you love me?” He takes a step towards you. Disbelief ripped through his chest, there was no way that you could be in love with him-You saw him with Padme, he caused you pain. Here you were crying your beautiful heart out, your tears filled with the unprofessed love trapped within you. You held onto it for so long choosing to remain silent. Anakin, blinded by the Angel he’d seen on Tatooine, forgot his best friend’s existence. You were there for as long as Anakin could remember. You gave him advice, you went along with his stupid yet ridiculously complicated plans that always seemed to work out in the end. You faced obstacles together, you were his support, and all that time you had fallen in love with him, while he became infatuated with the thought of an older woman, distracting himself from the possibilities of being with you. He failed to realize that you yourself were the guardian Angel sent to him not Padme. He was just blind by his own ambitions to see it.

You sighed as you caught on to the way Anakin internally blamed himself. You knew he was going over every thought, every moment, over analyzing where he went wrong. Yet here you were again, soothing his pain as you had as always done. “ It’s not your fault, I told you-it was my choice, my path-you had nothing to do with it-“

“ I told you it wasn’t just your decision.” It was different now, the year and a half you were gone gave him enough time to understand the reality of the situation. He took you for granted and he hated that. He knew deep down that he had always loved you. He just needed you to leave him to understand it. He took your face into his hands caressing your cheeks, his forehead leaning down to touch yours. There was a pull in the force that went unnoticed by the both of you, there was a magnetic pull, as if two puzzle pieces shifted into place.

He shakes his head, shutting his own eyes, the warmth of your skin against his flesh had driven him insane. The electricity that followed between the two of you was undeniable. What he had with Padme was nothing compared to what he felt right in this moment. He instead crashes his lips onto yours, the kiss becoming intensely passionate. At the same time the force finally found itself joining together binding itself to one another. Almost as if the two finally had molded into one. The once friendship bonding into a love that is bound together not just by them but through the force as if they were truly meant to be…The need for air pushed to the back of Anakin’s mind. Forget it he didn’t need it even if his lungs screamed at him. All he wanted was you to be around you. You however wanted to relish in the kiss but you couldn’t for too long, your mind wandered to Padme and how wrong this situation was. You pulled away in fact needing some air to breathe anyways, Anakin’s lips chasing yours.

“ Wait- wait -wait” You say breathlessly.

“ No, I can’t wait anymore” Anakin chases your lips again but you place your hands on his chest pushing him away, moving out of his hold. You take a few steps back.

“ We can’t ”

“Why not?”

“ Because you’re a Jedi and you’re in love with Padme.”

“ I’m not with her anymore, I broke it off with her when I realized there was nothing between her and I. I didn’t love her the way I love you”

You shook your head placing a hand on your forehead. “Ani..” you sighed again. His heart and chest burst with joy, he hadn’t heard that nickname in a long time, he wanted to hear you say it again.

“No, I lost you once and I don’t intend on losing you again. I can’t see myself living without you, if I did I’d be in agony all the time as I once was. Being a Jedi has nothing to do with the way I feel about you. Forbidden or not you’re the one I want to be with.“ Anakin whispers to you as he takes a step towards you. You crossed your arms over your body, watching his every step, holding your own breath.

“ You’d be willing to keep us a secret?” You asked

“ Yes if it means I get to be with you”

“ You know they’ll check the logs on your fighter to see where you’ve been-“

“Y/N, You’re not changing my mind” Anakin pries your arms from your body using it as leverage to pull you closer. You somewhat hesitate but he pulled you anyway. You had to internally admit it felt good to be in his arms, and the way your body began to relax gave that away. Anakin smirks as he looks down at you, your eyes wandering around his frame, your hands finding a place to rest themselves, your hands glide over his arms and shoulders before resting them around his neck. You felt comfortable there. Anakin rested his own arms around your hips and waist, his large hand moving to the small of your back to push you impossibly closer. Anakin leaned downward towards your neck and shoulders pulling you in a tight embrace. He inhaled your scent, and hummed as he exhaled. You were his comfort place, you were his home, he could finally breathe, his own body melting into yours. You carted your fingers through his golden hair.

“ You win” You huffed, Anakin chuckled and squished you even tighter, he just needed to hold you for a little longer. Anakin finally pulled away looking at you, another need flowed through him and somewhere else. He took your hand guiding you to your bedroom. “ Ani I stink, I think we should wait-“

“ I already told you I can’t wait”

“ What if Obi Wan finds my home and you in it, then what?”

“ We’ll be quick. I promise.”

“ Maybe I don’t want it to be quick”

“ So then I’ll take it slow”

“ Ani you can’t”

“ Y/N, I can”

“ Cant”

“ Can”

“ Cant”

“ I can too!”

“ No you cant”

“ You don’t know what I’m capable of” He retorts.

“ Oh please” You rolled your eyes. “You’re not even scary”

“ Wanna bet?” The banter between the two of you felt welcoming and genuine. It seems you’d missed more than just the teasing. Anakin pulls you into your room not giving you a chance to reply, he guides you towards your bed. You let him, his gaze becomes darker, you shake your head answering his question from earlier. For a moment you were going to give in, but then you shoved your hand into Anakin’s face pushing him away playfully.

“Nope, see not scary” You smiled, your moment interrupted by a knock downstairs. Anakin pleaded with you silently to stay. You smirked walking away, but not before he smacked your ass. You turned and glared at him to which he held a flirtatious smile of his own. The two of you had some explaining to do, with Obi Wan, Ahsoka and Rex waiting outside. Once you opened the door with Anakin directly behind you, you were welcomed with warm smiles, ones you hadn’t seen in a while. This was a dream, for you, you welcomed everyone into your home. You looked at Anakin one last time as he reached for your hand pulling you into him as the two of you walked towards the others. Who cares what the Jedi say, love is love, forbidden attachments are stupid as one might say. Right now everyone in that room doesn’t seem to mind, they all held genuine grins on their faces.

“ Master, won’t you introduce us?” Ahsoka asks.

“ Master?” Your eyebrows raise humor behind your eyes and smile.

“ What? I’m a master” He says smugly, you burst into laughter Obi Wan shaking his head at his once former padawans.

“ Y/N” Obi Wan warns. Ahsoka and Rex find the moment endearing, Anakin had met his match and they were here for it.

“ What, Okay you’re right I’m sorry” You waved your hand dismissing your behavior, clearing your throat. Anakin pinched your arm, to which you slapped away. Rex couldn’t contain his own laughter, and then the introduction, and recapping began. You offered your home and tea for the group, everyone could relax for a few hours. Sometimes we go through trials and tribulations to find tranquility…You guess you could say that you both found that today.

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embeanwrites · 1 year

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Yours & Mine - Hunter x Reader

Clone Fic Gift Exchange

Prompt: “I’m yours and you are mine” with Hunter (with a mention of “don’t go far from me”)

A/N: Here’s my piece for the @cloneficgiftexchange! I’m so nervous to write/post this since @photogirl894 is one of my favorite authors here on Tumblr, so to write a piece for them, I was NERVOUS! I hope you enjoy this 🥺 Special thank you to @kakyoweeniesdump and @pinkiemme for editing and feedback! (I’ll post this to AO3 once I get home from Star Wars Celebration!)

Word count: 2047

Some days Hunter couldn’t believe his luck. To have his squad. To have Omega. To have her. He was created in a lab on a rainy planet, meant to die in a war he was created for, to serve a master he had no control over, and now his life has done almost a total 180. After retiring from working with Cid, the group had decided to settle down on a little planet in the Outer Rim that Rex had found and had been helping clones resettle who were tired of fighting away from the Empire. Between all of them, they had been able to make a fairly sustainable home. For the first time in their lives, they had the true freedom to choose.

Omega was able to go to school and make friends, something she thoroughly loved. She was frequently up before the boys in the morning, ready to go. Hunter thought the excitement would wear off, but as she entered her 60th rotation of school she still seemed to find wonder in school every day. Tech had gotten a job with a local mechanic shop after he had fixed some farming equipment for a farm nearby in record time. Wrecker had been loving helping some of the local farms with their animals and taking care of the livestock, he had been in the process of trying to convince Hunter that they needed some cattle for their farm, but Hunter wasn’t sure he was ready to deal with the smell every day. Hunter had found himself helping the townspeople with hunting and tracking and somehow, teaching some of the younger kids how to survive in the woods nearby. And unsurprising to Hunter their medic had quickly settled into helping with the local clinic.

Hunter had been very well aware of his feelings for her before the group had settled down, but with them always on the run from the Empire, he had no desire to tie her in with their group in any way that could get her hurt or worse. He tried pushing her away or at the very least get her to understand the danger she would be in by running with them. Cid had essentially forced them to have a real medic join the crew after too many missions had gone sideways due to injuries. It wasn’t that he was ungrateful to have a medic with knowledge that wasn’t learned from the holonet five minutes before putting it into practice like Tech used to do, but Hunter felt weird about any civilian traveling with them. The team warmed up to her quickly, especially Omega, and it was shortly after she had gone out of her way to get colorful band-aids for Omega did Hunter allow himself to start to give in to these feelings. The warm feeling her smile and gentle touches gave him kept him up at night, thoughts of her would circle his mind and on the rare occasion, he’d allow himself to think of a peaceful future with her.

He thought he hid his feelings well.

He did not.

It was clear to everyone, including her, almost immediately that his feelings for the medic were stronger than just another crew member. He frequently tried to push his feelings away, denying them or not even affording himself to indulge in them, but she had none of it. Every idea to dissuade her from a relationship with him seemed to do nothing but persuade her more. She reminded him almost daily of her own feelings, either intentionally or unintentionally, until he let his heart thaw out. She loved him unconditionally and he couldn’t help falling for her deeply and wholeheartedly.

Hunter still remembered the moment he decided that it was time to take that chance with her. When she had finally convinced him it was worth it. She had just patched up Wrecker and had been softly arguing with Tech that he needed more rest when she had sat next to him on his bunk, surprising him.

“Do you want to talk about what happened out there?” She asked him softly and he fought back a sigh.

“Nothing happened out there.” He replied, going back to sharpening his vibro blade, avoiding eye contact.

“Oh really?” She taunted. “Was it not you, pulling you behind me in the middle of the mission saying ‘don’t go far from me’?” He clenched and unclenched his jaw, he knew this had been coming and that she wouldn’t let this go.

“That wasn’t-” He tried.

“Hunter, how long are we going to dance around this?” She muttered, he could hear her heart pounding and the frustration in her words, he felt his hands grow clammy. This was a conversation that had long been coming. “It’s not fair to either of us. Why aren’t you letting yourself be happy? What are you so scared of?” He slowly sheathed his blade and turned to face her, not allowing himself to look her in the face just yet.

“What if I fail and lose you.” He finally muttered, feeling as if a tank was sitting on his chest. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost any of the squad, but you? Darling, I don’t think I could come back from that.” He groaned and dropped his head in his hands, hunched over in embarrassment and frustration.

“But Hunter-” Her voice raising, ever so slightly.

“How do you not understand that I’m doing this for you!” He dropped his hands and looked at her from the corner of his eye, unable to face her fully. “I don’t ever want you to hurt, don’t ever want to see you in pain, and the odds of me living through the Empire? Living through dealing with Cid’s missions? Not great. All I want is to see you happy, and I’d love for you to be happy with me, but that will no doubt be brief and I can’t leave you hurting without being there to help.” He looked away, not eager to see her face when she responded.

“Well that’s very morbid and a bit arrogant.” She snorted. Hunter turned to face her scowling, ready to retort. “But even more infantilizing. If anything happened to either one of us, not just you, I think we would both grieve, but never take for granted any of the time we shared, or the care we had for each other. I’m not so fragile that your loss would break me, sure it would hurt, and I’d be heartbroken, but I have more respect for you, your memory, and for myself than to let that misery take hold forever, and I think you are stronger than that too.” She grabbed his hands, pulling him to face her. “You are letting fear keep you from living, and there is a lot of that to do outside of the war. You can be afraid, but don’t be a coward. Bravery isn’t the opposite of fear, it’s being afraid, but going for it anyway. You’re so brave out there, be brave here, with me.” She smiled, small and hopeful, but her eyes never left his, steely and determined to sway him. “And you know your brothers won’t stop giving you shit if you-“ he cut her off, his hand holding her cheek, thumb pressed against the apple, roving over her cheekbone. He was a breath away from her, his nose brushing against hers, watching her closely, waiting for her to push him away. He knew she wouldn’t push him away, not after that speech, not after everything, but some part of him still wanted to run, wanted her to run. But running wasn’t her and he was tired of trying to fight off his feelings.

“Are you gonna kiss me or not, Sarge-“ and cutting her off once more his lips were on hers, and it was everything she’d wanted for months.

She was so soft against him, it was startling how right she felt in his arms, but when her lips demanded more from him, pressing back harder and forcing what a sweet, chaste gesture to a passionate embrace one he knew she was anything but. He broke their kiss, moving back a hair's breadth to look at her. He was mesmerized by the way her eyes fluttered open, her mouth slightly agape and flushed.

“You won’t take no for an answer, will you darlin’?” He chuckled, his hand ghosting down her face to grasp her jaw.

“Absolutely not.” She smirked, then her hand weaved into his hair and pulled him in for another kiss. And that was that, she made no room for any further argument between them.

And that kiss is what led the two of them to now, roughly one standard cycle (and many kisses) later in their very own home. The two of them were currently lying on a soft rug in front of their fireplace, fully clothed and just enjoying the ability to have some serenity near each other. The night was quiet and having her so close made Hunter feel more warmth than any heat the fire could provide. He willed himself to hear her soft heartbeat, to smell the gentle shampoo she used in her hair, the feel of his hands on her cheek. He wanted so desperately to freeze time and live in this moment forever.

“Are you okay, my love?” Her soft voice interrupted his thoughts. He let out a gentle sigh as he looked over at her face, ever caring and ever wondering about his well-being over her own.

“I was just thinking about everything we had to go through to get here.” He murmured, she gave him a small smile, knowing the pain the entire batch went through to get to this peaceful time in their life and it was clear to all of them, even if they didn’t discuss it, that there was still a fear in each of them that this life may come to an end abruptly the moment they get too comfortable. “Sometimes I worry I’m going to wake up back in our barracks on Kamino and after everything that’s happened…I just fear that I don’t deserve this.” He closed his eyes as she moved her hand to cup his tattooed cheek, forcing him to look into her eyes.

“Hunter, honey, of course, you deserve happiness.” She gave him a soft smile before continuing, “Plus I’m not complaining about having an absolute hunk of a man on my arm.” She joked, causing Hunter to let out a slight laugh.

“I’m glad you find me nice to look at.” He responded, still stuck in his thoughts.

“Among other things, you know.” She leaned forward and kissed the side of his mouth, his stubble rubbing against her. “I love how kind and protective you are. I always feel so safe when you’re around.” She murmured, moving ever so slightly to kiss his tattooed cheek. “I love when you’re watching Omega and you have this dad pose-”

“Dad pose?” He questioned.

“You know, the one you do with your hand on your hip and you lean against the wall, watching her with a small smile. You do it all the time, you did it today when she was playing with her friends after school!” She teased while she resumed her soft kisses along his face. “I love that even when we’re out of missions you’re doing everything you can to make sure everyone’s safe. I love when I’m cooking and you come up behind me to hold me. I love-”

“Alright, alright! I get it, you love me.” He chuckled, face burning bright from all the compliments, so unused to any form of love outside his brothers.

“But do you know what I love the most?” She asked, moving so she was now on top of him, playfully pinning him.

“Now, what would that be, sweetheart?”

“That I’m all yours and you’re all mine.” She responded before leaning down to kiss him. And for once, Hunter allowed himself to relax in this moment, because she was right. While his fear of losing her was still there, he knew that at this time in his life, they had each other and nothing was going to change that.

#hunter x reader bad batch #hunter bad batch #hunter x reader #bad batch x reader #sergeant hunter #sergeant hunter x reader #clone fic exchange #x reader #star wars #omega #tech bad batch #wrecker bad batch #fan fiction #writing exchange #photogirl894 #Bad Batch #star wars bad batch #CFGE23

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gayuu-the-necromancer · 1 year

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William Rex Chapter 13

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William: "If you can't forgive me for my sins, then you can take your knife and kill me."

(Point my knife....at William.....?)

----FLASHBACK-----

William: "If you want to judge me for my sins, you can stab me with this knife."

William: "I accept your absolution with open arms."

----FLASHBACK ENDS----

The golden knife I received that night we met, suddenly feels heavy in my pocket.

As usual, William waited for my answer with a charming smile.

The question is 'Is his sin an unforgivable evil to me?'

Kate: "I..."

(He's right. Killing people is a sin and it's self-righteous. There is no justification for that)

(But I also don't want the 'butterfly' to take away people's dignity and trample on them in an absurd way)

(I cannot say that turning a blind eye to all of this, is justice)

I know how sinful it is to stand here, making excuses for my helplessness and.......to close my ears to the cries for help.

(William chose the sin of judging evil over the sin of standing by it. He continues to choose the same path, even now)

In the face of his determination, it seems evil to say 'There might have been another way.'

(William sins because he cannot allow his beloved freedom to be trampled on)

(For such a pure and arrogant desire of yours to carry on....)

(I should have been attracted by that strength)

(Why are my legs shaking....?)

Kate: "I won't do...that....."

I squeezed my voice to deny that I'm shaking.

William: *smiling*

Kate: "Because I----"

(I love you)

(You who go to great lengths to save those cowering in the dark, taking on the guilt of their sins and then laugh at the fact that you did it all for your own sake)

(You who listened to my heart and unleashed it freely...)

Kate: "!"

I wanted to tell him, but somehow I can't find my voice.

My breathing became labored and I felt dizzy.

Someone holds me from behind as I was about to fall.

William: "You're so kind."

William: " Sorry to ask you this, but can you carry her. I'll stain her hands with blood."

Elbert: ".............Yes.......understood."

In my fading consciousness, I hear Master Elbert's voice....

After that, I heard nothing more.

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Roger: "You're fine. Probably hyperventilating or anemic due to extreme nervousness. Here are some iron pills, just in case."

Kate: "Thank you, Mr. Roger."

When I woke up, I was sleeping in my room at the Crown Castle.

As soon as I woke up, both Liam and Ellis, who were worried, took me to Mr. Roger.

Kate: "I'm sorry to make you guys worry. Also thank you Ellis and Liam, for caring for me."

Ellis: "As long as your happy, I'm happy too. .....El was the one who carried you out. When I saw you, I thought you were dead."

Liam: "Ahaha. If Will is with her then I'm sure she won't die. I thought you were hurt."

Liam: "I knew you were surprised to witness Will's execution.....I'm sorry I wasn't there to support you."

Kate: "Liam is not the one to apologize! I just wasn't ready."

Ellis: "When you feel scared, you should eat something sweet. Here, chocolate. Do you like chocolate?"

Kate: "Mm?...Yes. I love chocolates.....thank you."

Roger: "Eat chocolate or whatever you want, but get some rest. The person who brought you here has already gone off somewhere."

Kate: "......Is he not back yet?"

Roger: "No. I don't know where our King went and what kind of mischief he's doing right now?"

The Marquis of Avalus, a recently retired political heavyweight---was brutally murdered.

I expected the police to move in immediately and the newspapers to make a fuss, but this morning I didn't hear a peep. It was an eerie silence.

If William has not returned to the castle then maybe he is cleaning up the mess.

(In the end, it remained unclear why the Marquis was waiting for William)

The thought that 'cleanup' might be related to the mystery and that thought filled me with unease.

(I hope you're safe....and come back home safely)

Liam: "You don't have to worry. Will will be fine."

Kate: ".....Mm. I guess you're right."

Roger: "Yeah. Will has never lost in a mission."

Ellis: "I wish Jude would learn something from him. He gets shot or stabbed once every three days."

Kate: "It's...it's a good thing that he's still alive...."

Roger: "Of course because there is a doctor like me here."

Ellis: "That's right. If weren't for Mr. Roger, he would have died two or three times."

Kate: "Fufu...Ah, I apologize. I shouldn't be laughing about something like this."

Liam: "No problem! You look cuter when you laugh, Kate."

(I can't afford to cause you all any more worry. So let's change our minds for now)

(Ah, yes. I guess it was Master Elbert who carried me to my room yesterday...)

(I also have to thank him)

...............

Just as Mr. Roger told me, this man, who looked like a work of art, stood at the edge of the garden, staring at the grass.

Elbert: "...........Kate? Is there anything you want from me?"

Kate: "I just wanted to thank you for carrying me to my room last night. Thank you very much."

Elbert: ".....Ah.........you're welcome. Are you feeling better now.....?"

Kate: "Yes. As you can see."

Elbert: "I see....thank god."

Eyes as deep blue as the ocean, stare at me as if probing me.

He had a severe expression as if he were dealing with some serious problem.

(Maybe I should leave you before I bother you)

Kate: "Um..."

Elbert: ".............Why do you keep trying to look into the deepest depths of darkness?"

Kate: "Eh.....?"

Elbert: "Both at the workhouse and.....the last night's mission seemed to me that you wanted to be there more than it being your duties as a fairy tale master."

Elbert: "You've been living in peace your whole life......But knowing the truth doesn't always lead to happiness."

Elbert: "....Last night, you were shocked to the point you collapsed. And yet....what did you gain from it....?"

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Elbert: "What do you...gain from knowing all of this....?"

The lost look in his eyes, a little different from concern, seemed to cling to me and I felt I had to answer him properly.

Kate: "I was able, to be honest about my desires to see and know, and that in itself was a gift."

Kate: "If I can see, know, and accept what I feel then I can grasp....what is important to me."

Kate: "I am sure this itself is a big gain for me."

Elbert: "....What about last night? How did you feel.....?"

(Last night...)

Kate: "....I think I was very selfish."

Elbert: "Selfish....?"

Kate: "I understood William's reasons for committing the crime and the determination he had built up to do so."

Kate: "He picks up all the people who cannot be saved by 'justice."

Kate: "I wanted to do something to reward him...for trying to let me flap my wings freely."

Kate: "Even if his evil is never forgiven, I don't want to see a tragedy in his future...."

Kate: "I thought I would be able to be something more than just a 'good' person to him."

Kate: "But when it came time to see his 'evil'....I was speechless."

Elbert: "....Are you afraid of Will?"

(Scared....?)

(Surely, the image of William laughing as usual after killing the Marquis with brutal methods is a bit of a shock)

(Yes...I was really scared)

Kate: "....I was afraid that I would change any more than I already have."

(I was afraid to say the words 'I love you')

(I love him...but I am afraid I'll fall in love with his sin)

(Then surely this time I will...not be able to go back to my normal life)

Master Elbert looked away from me and stared ahead blankly.

Elbert: "....When I step on someone's shadow, I can force that person to relive their saddest memory."

(....Wait..is that his 'ability'? Why is he talking about that out of nowhere?)

I listen to Master Elbert who started talking out of context.

Elbert: "Once when I stepped on William's shadow...he did not falter. He was smiling at me as usual."

Elbert: "If even seeing his saddest memory can't shake William's heart, then he may also no need anyone to stand by his side."

Elbert: "But.....I don't want you to leave William."

Kate: "Eh....?"

Kate: "Why would you....?"

Elbert: "Ever since you met William, you've changed.....I want....to see you change more."

Elbert: "I think I understand....what is it about you that makes me-----"

William: ".....Kate?"

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William: ".....Kate?"

(---William)

The moment I heard that voice, everything I had been thinking about turned into a complete lie.

(You're back...!)

I thought I would be afraid of him because of the evil I saw in him.

But as soon as I saw him now, my whole body was screaming with joy.

Elbert: ".....Welcome home, Will. ......See you later."

Kate: "Ah...yes. Thank you once again. ....You helped calm me down."

Elbert: ".........."

Master Elbert walks away with a sad smile.

William: "............."

William didn't walk towards me and instead stood exactly where he was in the distance, staring at me.

William: "I heard from Roger that you're doing alright and there is nothing to worry about."

Kate: "Yes. .....What about you?"

William: "As you can see, not a scratch."

(Thank god...)

In that moment of relief, my whole body went limp and it was clear it was too late.

(No matter how horrible it is to love William's sin)

(Even if William didn't want a loving and cuddly presence)

I'm just so worried that he might get hurt in some way I don't know about.

But I am so glad that he is safe and that he is back within our reach.

(I can't stop loving William anymore)

------Options------

Let me make sure if you're really alright.

I'd like to talk to you closer.

May I come closer?

----------

Kate: "May I come closer?"

William: ".....Of course. If you want."

Drawn by the red eyes, my feet, of their own accord, move forward.

William: "Be careful not to fall down in the plantings over there."

I missed the scent of him who gave me words of concern but didn't walk up to me.

William: "....Mm. Good girl."

Once I get close to him, I wanted to seek his heart and body so much.

William: "Woah!"

As if to overwrite me for what happened yesterday, when my legs were trembling and I couldn't move.

I jumped into his chest and hugged him tightly.

William: ".....Fufu, you're were passionate today."

Kate: "I'm sorry...I collapsed yesterday."

William: "It's nothing to apologize for. I know you felt something in your heart that you couldn't take in."

William: "And if you could have chosen what you wanted to do with it, what you felt to the point of collapse is...not a bad thing, right?"

The warmth of a soothing palm on my back, his gentle breathing, and the scent of his whole body.

The heat that once warmly soothed my heart is now a fierce, raging heat that touches me from the inside out.

Kate: "Last night's absolution prevented the rise of the Golden Butterfly.....right?"

William: "Kinda. Evil is stubborn. It might come back to life again and again."

William: "So we will have to keep an eye on any chrysalis that is still left and prevent them from hatching."

(I wish one day he could say with optimism that 'evil is gone completely')

(If he did, I could have hope for a future where William could live without sinning)

But surely, evil will not be destroyed, just as the 'butterfly' that William judged 13 years ago has come back to life.

(That's why I'm so scared to love him)

(Into the endless darkness, it seems to go down)

William gently stroked my hair as I strained my arms to embrace him.

William: "If you're feeling alright, why don't we go out for a bit?"

Kate: "....Is it a new mission?"

William: "No? I'm asking you out on a date."

｡⋆｡˚🦋˚｡⋆｡

Kate: "This is so delicious....!"

William: "Good to know."

We went to my favorite cafe, where I used to stop by occasionally to treat myself before coming to the castle.

He told me to order 'whatever I like' and I ordered their delicious peach mousse.

As if it were a lie that I had been worrying about it just a moment ago, the 'daily life' that has become familiar to my skin makes my heart feel soft and smooth.

(If I could live a normal life like this and see William once in a while......would I be happy?)

William ordered a trifle covered in strawberries.

Kate: "Do you like strawberries?"

William: "Do I look like I like strawberries?"

Kate: "Eh? Hmm....I have judged by the look on your face after you eat it."

William: "Fufu. I might get nervous if someone watches me so intently."

Kate: "....That's a lie. You said you're used to being stared at when going to theaters."

William: "Haha. You still remember that."

I stared at his expression as he brought the strawberry to his lips.

(.....Ah)

The bright red berry covered with whipped cream disappears in William's mouth.

The more I tried to look at his face, my eyes, on their own, goes to stare down at his lips.

My heart banged against my chest and I wasn't able to determine if he liked the strawberries or not.

(I should be looking at his face....not his....)

William: "Mmm...."

While licking the tiny amount of cream on the corner of his lips, William looks at me.

The moment our eyes met, I squeaked.

William: ".....So? What do you think?"

Kate: "Ah....Ah...."

Kate: "I didn't have enough time....because I was busy admiring you..."

William: "Ahahahaha."

William laughed hysterically.

A pick-up line that is fitting under the warm sunlight, and the sweet and gentle aroma of the cafe.

Kate: "There is no need to laugh so much...."

William: "Sorry. ....You look so cute when you are all honest and become red, like that."

Kate: ".....I'm not cute. You're just more amused seeing me like this."

William: "You're right. I'm more and more amused when your face becomes more honest."

William: "But yeah, I eat my favorite food like this. So I hope you will forgive me for getting a little carried away."

Kate: "........Eh?"

William: "Mm?"

(Wait, he said his 'favorite food', right now!?)

Kate: "I knew it!"

William: "Mmhm. I like it."

(If he had told me from the beginning, I wouldn't have ogled and wouldn't feel guilty for it...)

Kate: "....Why didn't you just tell me?"

When I was being completely naked with my feelings, William happily laughs at my frank attitude.

William: "I wanted you to unravel it yourself."

...........

William: "Where do you wanna go next?"

Kate: "Hmm..."

Aristocrat: "Sir Rex. It's been a long time! Good to see you here..."

William: "Ah, James. How are you? How is your business going?"

James: "It's going well! ...I've been wondering how to thank you for everything you have done for me."

William: "Reading about your big achievements in the newspapers is already enough for me."

The man who was talking to William was looking at him warmly as if he was fascinated.

I'm sure I'll be like him one day, where I'll never get to talk to William again unless I run into him on the street like this.

(I would like to live a normal life and see William...once in a while)

(Why did I think such a dreamy thing?)

(If I choose of my own volition to leave that Castle....)

(I'm sure William will never have any business with me again)

I'm sure he will just see me off with a smile like the gentle spring rain, just like I saw in that hospital ward.

(I, like this man, will be looking for him on the street corner)

The scenery of daily life in London, which is supposed to be calm and nostalgic, suddenly seems alien to me.

(Do I really want to go back? ---To my normal life where I don't know him?)

(Into this peace protected by his love....with nothing to give back to him?)

William: "Kate. Kateee...."

Kate: "! Sorry, I was spacing out!"

While I was thinking, the man seemed to have left

William: "Sorry, I got distracted. So? Where do you wanna go next?"

(Where do I wanna go next...?)

In my mind, I saw a majestic castle deep in a dense forest.

(I want you to take me to a place where we can be alone...where I am the only one allowed to be near William)

Kate: "...Your room."

William: "Hm?"

Kate: "Let's go....to your room."

Chapter 14

#ikemen series #otome #cybird ikemen #cybird otome #ikemen villain #cybird #ikemen villains #ikemen mc #ikemen villains william

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intermundia · 3 months

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@ anon with the lovely hospital AU, apologies for the delay i was chewing on this for a couple days haha there's a whole season of grey's anatomy primetime soap worthy material. i love how fully you've filled out the AU with characters and unspooled all the drama. i can see why it would be difficult to write, it does have a big scope of imagination there. thank you for sharing it with meeeeeee

for everyone 700 words of lovely obikin hospital AU worldbuilding, continued beneath the cut!!

Shmi is a renowned heart surgeon. Best there is in the country (not just the state thank you very much) and she did it all while her son was young. Her grandmother (Grandma Mira) and her two cousins (Peli Moto and Beru Whitesun ) both helped her out a ton. She is admired and Skywalker is a name very well known in medical circles.

She decided to became a heart surgeon when her own mother (insert name here) died from a heart issue that no one wanted to touch surgically. Anakin was 9 years old. Anakin has his mom up on a pedestal - she is perfect and smart, the best surgeon, the best mom, she’s done it all. Anakin feels the pressure to be just as good as his mom. People expect him to be just as brilliant and successful as his mother. He expects it from himself. Shmi just wants him to be happy. Anakin is ready to start his residency at 25. His mother is in line to be chief of surgery at the hospital she works at (Twin Suns Medical Center). Its considered the hospital to intern at if you want your specialty to be heart surgery. Anakin isn’t really sure what he wants to specialize in, and he doesn’t want people to say that he got it easy during his internship. So he goes to the next best thing (it’s actually the number one hospital overall in the country but to Anakin is second to the hospital where shmi works because Shmi works there). He goes to Jedi Coruscant General Hospital. Chief Executive officer (in charge of whole hospital) : Breha Organa Chief of Surgery : Bail Organa (general surgeon) Brain Surgeon (top brain guy in the country) : Obi-Wan Kenobi 4th year resident: Padme Amidala (Anakin’s assigned resident) Heart Surgeon: Mace Windu Trauma Surgeon: Shaak Ti Pediatric Surgeon: Plo Koon Neonatal Surgeon: Siri Tachi Plastic Surgeon: Quinlan Vos Orthopedic Surgeon: Qui-Gon Jinn Head of the hospital board: Mon Mothma Cancer surgeon: Jocosta Nu Eye Surgeon: Dooku Vascular Surgeon: Wolffe Yoda - retired chief of surgery and general surgeon Anakin’s cohort: Aayla, Ferus Olin, Rex, Jesse, Echo, Fives 4th Year Residents: Sabe, Clovis, Bly 5th year residents: Depa Billaba, Bultar Swan, Cody Anakin’s running late on his first day, in the parking lot he’s too distracted trying to make sure he has everything in his bag that he bumps into a red head and spills the red head’s hot tea all of his shirt. “shit. Fuck. Sorry. Sorry.” Keeps walking but turns around to walk backwards to meet the really pretty blue eyes of the definitely pissed off red head “I owe you. I’ll bring you a … a coffee? Was it coffee during lunch. Sorry!” Ferus Olin, a childhood nemesis makes his appearance. He’s assigned to be Padme’s intern (the woman who gave him back his engagement ring when he was 22 and 27. He hadn’t realized she was back in town and that maybe it was purposeful that he didn’t know). Its turning out to be a truly shit day and then the pretty red head from the parking lot makes his appearance and anakin wants to sink into the ground. But. The red head picks him to help him with a surgery. … Its pretty much a grey’s anatomy AU. Obi-Wan and anakin start hooking up pretty much immediately. Ferus Olin and Anakin make nice and turn out to be pretty decent friends. Then. Anakin realizes that Padme had kids, with him. The twins. And never told him. 🤯. That’s smoothed over. He’s a dad now. He loves it. Obi-Wan’a supportive. Their secret relationship is starting to not be so secret anymore. Then. obi-wan’s ex wife (Satine Kryze) pop in with a kid. obi-wan’s kid. Obi-Wan never told him that he’d been married or that he had a kid. They break up. Anakin thinks about quitting. Then about transferring. Then gets side tracked because Aunt Beru (his mom’s cousin) got married and her husband’s dad was in a bad car crash. Its all hands on deck to save his life. Shmi makes an appearance at the hospital and Obi-Wan realizes that Anakin is Shmi’s son 🤯 Owen’s dad makes it. Anakin and Obi-Wan make up. Their relationship is outted but everything works out. There’s other small and big dramas but thats pretty much it lol

#obikin #fanfic stuff #lovely AU #thank you for sharing it #i prefer short posts don't mind me lmao

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fangirlvibez · 1 year

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The Bradshaw son and Seresin daughter - part 5

Characters: Bradley Bradshaw x female!OC Madison Ella Hanscott, Son!OC Nicolas Peter Bradshaw, Jake Seresin x female!OC Quinn Kelsell, Daughter!OC Hazel Alexandra Seresin, Son!OC Benjamin Jacob Seresin, OC!Connor Malcolm Oxland

Warnings: in this chapter: mention of teenage pregnancy. Navy inaccuracy (Let me know if I forgot a warning)

Summary of the story: The 16 year old daughter of Jake Seresin gets pregnant. The dad: the 18 year old son of Bradley Bradshaw. How will the dads react to their kids becoming teen parents.

A/N: English is not my first language, so if there is any spelling or grammar errors: please let me know

Previous part - next part - masterlist

“I heard some officers talking in the hallway” he started. “They were talking about the Top Gun teachers that still won’t retire” Nick could feel Hazel stiffen up. Nick swallowed before continuing. “I’m 99 percent sure they were talking about our dads”

July 29, 2046

Top Gun

Bradley Rooster Bradshaw and Jake Hangman Seresin were in the briefing room about the look over the newest members of their Top Gun class. “Have they asked you to retire too?” Jake asked while opening the folder with all the personal information of their new students. “Yes, they did. I already told them that I will retire when I decide to retire” he answered, taking the same folder out of his pack of documents. “Let’s see which smart asses we need to teach this year” he sighed.

Bradleys plan was to retire when Nick would get accepted into the academy. But with him gone he decided to not retire. Work kept his mind from wondering how his son was doing. Where they could be. What happened with the baby. What they were doing with their lives. After 5 years he felt as guilty as he did when he found out they were gone.

Jake kept quiet as well. His plan was to retire when Benjamin would go to university. And he did. One year ago, he left for university to study medicine. But Jake couldn’t do it. He couldn’t retire. The house felt too empty with Benjamin off to university and Quinn still working and Hazel gone from the home. He wondered the same thing as Bradley: where could they be? How were they? Where they still together? Where they still alive? Before his thoughts spiraled to the worst case scenario, he cleared his throat. “Let’s see shall we” he said.

~~~~~~~~~~

“So that was Lieutenant Charlotte Alyssa Polman. She is the only girl we have this year.” Jake finishes the information on the red haired girl. Her picture vanishes from the big screen in front of the room. “We have two more to go over. Pilot and WSO” he touches something on his tablet and a new picture appears on the screen. The man had black hair and blue eyes. He had a small scar on his lip, only visible if you look very closely.

“Lieutenant Connor Malcolm Oxland, callsign: T-Rex, age: 26. He is WSO to …” Jake stopped talking when he saw the picture on his tablet and the name under the picture. “WSO to who?” Bradley asked. He was tired and ready to finish this briefing. “Come on Hangman, their name can’t be that difficult to pronounce can it? Can you hurry up? I need to go home and walk the dog.” Jake looked up at Bradley before signing and pushing a button. The picture appeared on the screen and Bradleys eyes widen.

“WSO to Lieutenant Nicolas Peter Bradfield, callsign: Dash, age: 23.” Jake finishes his speech. Bradley looked at the picture. Even though the surname didn’t match, he knew the boy or rather man on the picture. It was his son. His 18 year old son who looked older now. He wasn’t the skinny 18 year old anymore who he remembered. He was a muscled 23 naval aviator now. An aviator who was coming to Top Gun. An aviator he was going to see live in front of him within a week. “I need to call Madison” he said. Rushing out of the room and towards his office where he called his wife with the exciting but scary information he received.

~~~~~~~~~~

June 4, 2046

Top Gun

The Bradfield family had landed at Top Gun. Hazel had managed to get a week off work to come visit her boyfriend during the first week of Top Gun. The family was staying in a small beach house 15 minutes from base.

“They are going to be here, I know they will” Nick told his girlfriend the evening before his first Top Gun class. It was almost 10 pm and the kids were already sleeping for 2 hours. Hazel was already sitting under the covers. Her back resting against the headboard. “Yes, they probably will. But don’t let them get under your skin. Show them how of a great man you became. How good of a pilot you are” she said. “You deserve to be here. You can’t let them ruin this for you” Nick nodded. Hazel was right. He and T-Rex worked hard to get here. He deserved to be here. “You’re right, what will I do without you?” He asked, leaning with his hands on the mattress to give his girlfriend a kiss.

Nick woke up at 4:45 am to get ready for his class. He had to be in the classroom at 6 am sharp. At 5:30 he was knocking on his neighbours door. A tired T-Rex opened the door. “Yes, yes. I’m awake. Let’s go” he mumbled to his best friend. Nick laughed, T-Rex was never a morning person while Nick was up and about the moment his alarm went off. The duo started walking towards base. “I just realise Dash” T-Rex started. Nick looked up from his boots to face Connor. “We’re about to start Top Gun. We’re in the number one percent of the Navy” he said. Nick nodded. Honestly he couldn’t believe it himself. “Yeah Rex, we’re in the top 1%.” The Top 1%. The top 1% his dad was also in. The top 1% his granddad was in. The top 1% his father-in-law was in. The fact started to sink in.

20 minutes later Nick and Connor were sitting in the classroom. They were sitting at the pathway on the third row from the front. 10 minutes. Within 10 minutes the class will start and Nick will see his father and father-in-law for the first time in 5 years.

Those 10 minutes felt like hours before they heard a strong voice. “Attention on deck!” All aviators stood up, before they were told to sit down again. Two men walked down the pathway towards the front of the classroom. Nick looked up when their boots walked past him. He could see the grey hairs on the back of their heads. Both men stood tall before turning and facing the class. He could see his dad and his greying mustache. He could see his father-in-law with the same green eyes of his girlfriend.

“Let me introduce ourselves. I’m Rear Admiral Bradley Bradshaw. Callsign Rooster. This is Rear Admiral Jake Seresin. Callsign Hangman. We will be your instructors for the next 13 weeks.” His voice hasn’t changed in 5 years, while Nicks became deeper. Bradleys eyes wander over the new students. His eyes stop when he meets similar brown eyes. Nicolas Dash Bradfield. He really wants to know why he changed his surname. Nick stared back, not looking away. He was trying to see what emotion his dad was feeling right now.

“We will start today with some basic dog fighting. We want to see what you’re capable of. How you work together and your skills in general. Rooster and I will be your targets. We already made pairs to fight against us. The first ones up are…” Jake started to explain, looking down at his clipboard. “Lieutenant Emmanuel “Razor” Sánchez with Lieutenant Nicolas “Dash” Bradfield and Lieutenant Connor “T-Rex” Oxland. The rest can start with some gym exercises. A trainer will be waiting for you in the gym hall. You’re dismissed” he said. Nick is the first one out of his chair. Too fast that Bradley doesn’t have the change to talk to him. Connor is shocked in how fast he was out of the room.

Connor runs behind his friend before he started walking next to him towards their plane. “What was that? Your callsign should be Flash with how fast you left the room” he laughed, hitting Nicks back with his hand. Before he can answer a loud voice came from behind him. “Lieutenant Bradfield” Nick stopped walking and turned around. His aviators sitting on his nose and blocking out the shining sun. Walking towards him was Bradley. Connor shares a look with Nick. “I’ll do the check up for our plane” he said, sensing that he wasn’t needed for this conversation.

Bradley stopped in front of his son. He could see the resemblance now he’s older. Madison always said he was going to look like him when he would be older. She wasn’t lying. “I’ll like to talk to you at the end of the day. 1700 hours. My office.” Nick nodded. Before turning and looking towards his plane. “Is that all Rear Admiral Bradshaw?” He asked, looking into his dads eyes. “Am I dismissed?” He asked. Bradley nodded and Nick didn’t hesitate to turn and walk towards Connor. He already knew this wasn’t going to be a calm conversation like he hoped it would be.

Taglist: @confusedpimp @dempy @michael-loves-chickens @massivedetectivestudent @starkleila @mirrorball-6 (if your username is crossed out it means I couldn’t tag you) (let me know if you want to be tagged)

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maidenvault · 1 day

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On one hand I'm so glad I was wrong to think TBB was heading towards a final resolution for most of the clone characters (even if I'm simultaneously ambivalent about the general feeling that Lucasfilm is never going to let any SW thing just have an ending). It looks like we may actually be getting a clone rebellion series and that's beyond my dreams at this point.

But on the other…now we will likely have to survive another series constantly afraid that Echo or Cody (or both) may die and that'll be the last straw that breaks Rex and makes him retire for now. Fucking Echo Base okay….I’m ready I guess 😬

#i'm so happy that even my rexsoka wip isn't fucked up by canon because I really thought rex would be done fighting now and I'd be working #in a more limited time frame that he's active as a rebel....thank u feloni lol #arc trooper echo #captain rex #commander cody #clone troopers #the bad batch #star wars

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astoundingbeyondbelief · 1 year

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Kaiju Week in Review (November 20-26, 2022)

Megumi Odaka, best known as psychic Miki Saegusa from the Heisei Godzilla series, retired from acting in 2000 due to health issues and disappeared from the public eye for a decade. The narration she contributed to Godzilla vs. Gigan Rex was her first role since then, and she's finally ready to go back in front of the camera. 3Y Film (The Great Buddha Arrival, Nezura 1964) has a new kaiju movie in the works, Hoshi 35, which Odaka is set to star in. Since it's a 3Y joint, and part of a celebration of the 35 years since her acting debut, expect it to get meta. As usual, Hiroko Yokokawa is directing; another key player is Daisuke Sato (Howl from Beyond the Fog), who will serve as director of special effects, cinematographer, and suitmaker (with Tomoya Ayaki).

3Y productions are known for bringing back veteran kaiju actors, and Hoshi 35 has already cast several besides Odaka, this time focusing on the Heisei era instead of the Showa era. Jun Hashizume played MOGUERA pilot Koji Shindo in Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla and Kojiro Inaba in Ultraman Z, Daijiro Harada was Mechagodzilla captain Takuya Sasaki in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, and Akira Ohashi stepped inside Gamera in Gamera 2, Iris in Gamera 3, and King Ghidorah in GMK. He'll be playing another monster in this one, Hoshikuzu. Hiroshi Miyasaka and Yumiko Tanaka will appear as well.

No plot details are currently known. The film is aiming for a October 2023 release date.

Gridman Universe, the crossover film for SSSS.GRIDMAN and SSSS.DYANZENON, has a new pair of posters and a teaser trailer. It'll hit theaters in Japan on March 24 (and hopefully arrive in the West before the year is out). Excessive fanservice aside, I really enjoyed GRIDMAN, but haven't gotten around to DYNAZENON yet... it aired in Spring 2021, which was a pretty chaotic time to be a Wikizilla editor, and I think I was under the impression it was all mecha, no kaiju. Guess I have to now!

Veteran Ultra Series director Takeshi Yagi debuted a proof-of-concept short at Tokyo Comic Con called AKARI, which you can also watch online. The story is simple—a giant heroine (Akari) battles a rampaging cyborg kaiju (Pythagodon) in a futuristic, neon city—but Yagi and company have far greater ambitions for it. They created it as part of a course on tokusatsu techniques, and hope to turn it into a feature or series with the funds from that course, as well as other crowdfunding efforts. The story they've drawn up is pretty intriguing: a 2076 Japan where corporations run amok, the AI uprising is at hand, and an alien race who survived their own rogue AI empowers a woman to save the Earth.

Matt Frank designed Akari. Akihiko Iguchi (Mechagodzilla, King Caesar, Titanosaurus) came up with Pythagodon, and boy, you can tell. I hope we haven't seen the last of them.

One more kaiju short for you to watch: Ivalla the Land Mine Monster: Case of Extra. This one is in more dire need of subtitles to get the full experience, but there's still a quality rampage to witness. From the other videos on the channel, Yuki Kurosu has been working on this for 8 years—props for persevering!

youtube

Godziban squeezed another episode out of Godzilla Festival 2022, this one focusing on the puppet displays and demonstrations at the event and the upcoming Blu-ray-only episodes which will see Bagan make his debut and many others battling it out.

youtube

Kadokawa released a fine video tribute to Gamera for his 57th birthday, which naturally ends by teasing the Netflix project. Interesting that they skipped over the 2015 short though.

Your reading assignment for the week is Patrick Galvan's excellent tribute to Kazuki Omori for Toho Kingdom, a well-researched overview of his career and analysis of the two Godzilla films he directed.

#hoshi 35 #megumi odaka #gridman universe #akari #ivalla the land mind monster case of extra #gamera #kazuki omori #godzilla #kaiju #tokusatsu #vfx #godziban #bagan

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lizisshortforlizard · 7 months

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Living Dangerously - Chapter 29

Jurassic Park’s animal handlers: none of them ever mentioned by name in Michael Crichton’s original novel. Who were they? What were their lives like on Isla Nublar? Did any of them survive the disaster?

A year in the life of those responsible for the care of the dinosaurs. Many people would kill to have their jobs.

But would they die for it?

Jurassic Park novel/Jurassic Park film (1993)

Viewpoint: 3rd person female oc

Warnings: ready to have your heart ripped out?

Tagging: @heresthefanfiction @ocappreciation @wordspin-shares @howlingmadlady @arrthurpendragon @themaradwrites @starryeyes2000 @kmc1989 (please lmk if you would like informed of my sporadic updates)

Read on Ao3

Chapter 28 | Chapter 30

Living After Midnight - Judas Priest

Over the constant hum and buzz of the jungle darkness, never completely silent, Lizzy’s laughter was ringing through the trees, ricocheting around the clearing next to the Rex paddock.

She had a filthy laugh that Muldoon hadn’t heard before. At hundred per cent volume, totally out of control, with her head thrown all the way back. It was bloody glorious.

And he would be attempting to make her do it again, as soon as possible.

I’ll have more of that please.

“Christ Almighty-“ Lizzy wiped her streaming eyes. “-that’s one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard. Well done.” She started cackling breathlessly again, clutching her stomach.

“If I wasn’t awake before that, I certainly was afterwards.”

“I’ll bet.” She wriggled uncomfortably, her ribs were seriously aching. “That was a good one. Got any more?”

“More than we’ve likely got time for.”

The campfire was finally dying. They’d been out in the park for hours, it had to be almost midnight.

He built me a campfire. Lizzy was practically vibrating with contentment. Not that she couldn’t build her own fire, of course she could, but that wasn’t the point. The gesture was the point, and the fact he had agreed to an open flame amongst trees in the first place.

Just this once. While there’s nobody here. Those were his exact words.

Breaking the rules.

Just this once.

“We’ve got all the time in the world.” She insisted. “You really should write these down, you know.”

“Maybe someday. If I ever manage to retire. In fact-“ he was struck by an idea. “-you’re a decent writer.”

“Planning on keeping me around that long?”

“I’d like to think so. You have your uses.”

“I’ll take that.” Lizzy worked hard to keep her voice even after the compliment. “But you’d need plenty of photos, or drawings. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always preferred books with pictures.”

Her tone had just enough suggestion for Muldoon to wonder if Baker, despite her promises, had let slip about his own artistic capabilities.

He quickly moved the conversation along before she had too long to dwell on the thought. “You must have a few stories of your own by now?”

Lizzy did indeed have a good one she hadn’t yet shared. Through instinct, she looked around the clearing for eavesdroppers, although they had to be the only two humans for miles and miles, a vast stretch of ocean separating them from the nearest civilisation.

“On the topic of photographs…I never told anyone outside of the research station because I didn’t want to embarrass Simon.” She rolled her eyes. “Doesn’t matter now, and it’s not like you two will ever meet anyway.”

“Go on.” He caught his grimace just in time at the mention of the ex-fiancé’s name.

“The first time he came to visit me in Namibia, he was a little, uh-…condescending to the locals in our team-“

Muldoon was familiar with what the swift response from said locals would be, rich white clients tended to all behave in a similar way. It was expected. But that was a whole other collection of tales for the fireside. “I’ll bet that was swiftly resolved.”

“They had some fun with him first. Simon was parading his new Polaroid camera around giving it “magic picture” this and that. I was mortified.”

“Christ-“

“He hasn’t travelled much outside the States.” Lizzy explained. “Or, in fact, outside the state of New York. Anyway, one of my team, proceeds to tell Simon, translated by yours truly, that she prefers the resolution on the Nikon 35mm and also that she had the equipment handy to help Simon clean his dirty lens.”

Muldoon smiled grimly. “You laughed too, I imagine?”

He wondered if it had been as good as the ridiculous laugh he had recently become acquainted with.

Lizzy had indeed tried and miserably failed to keep a straight face at her partners come-uppance. “I couldn’t help it!”

She recalled the memory. Simon’s face had been hot and red, mortally embarrassed, and he’d stormed off by himself into the long grass.

A terrible, possibly fatal response.

Once she’d caught up to him with a shotgun slung over her shoulder, she’d had to sweet-talk him into returning to camp before he stumbled across a big cat, buffalo or even a snake who would really give him something to be upset about.

That hadn’t improved his temper at all, but he had been downright foolish of him to just wander off like he was taking a stroll in Central bloody Park!

Why’d you laugh at me? Are all your friends like this? Do we really have to stay out here with them? What’s wrong with Windhoek?

Windhoek, really? They’re just messing with you! It’s fine!

Not fine, Liz! They should apologise!

You’re the one who should apologise! Pembe is the best guide we have and you were damn rude-

And so on. One of many disagreements, and they seemed to be increasing in frequency.

“Yeah, he didn’t see the funny side at all.” She sniffed. “Was never that great at laughing at himself. Bless him.” “You need to have a fantastic sense of humour-“ Muldoon’s voice was as dry as if he were telling Lizzy her shoelace was untied. “-to work with things that regularly try to make your life insurance policy pay out before time.”

“Good thing you’re so in tune with your emotions then, eh?” The comment earned her nothing more than a derisive glance as he lowered his slouch hat over his face, and she chuckled again.

Maybe it was the Towel Incident, or the disastrous cooking attempt that had followed, but the ice was well and truly broken. No going back now. Lizzy felt the most like herself since the breakup. It was so easy, talking to him like this. She was happy.

They were on opposite sides of the campfire, Lizzy scooched a fraction closer on her blanket so she could see him better through the heat haze.

Muldoon was on the ground too, stretched out on a blanket of his own. Lizzy wasn’t sure how he seemed to look even taller lying down. She shook her head, trying to chase away the thought of how she’d measure up.

Lizzy watched him for a long time, thinking to herself in comfortable silence, before speaking again.

“Tell me about her.”

“Who?”

He’d answered instantly. Of course he was awake under the hat, alert. As always.

“Your wife.” She answered quietly.

Muldoon hmm-ed for a long moment, Lizzy waiting as patiently as she was able, trying her hardest not to fidget.

Just when she thought there was no way he was ever going to answer her in this lifetime, he did.

“You’re not unlike her. Your attitude is-“ Damn. Did it again. He corrected. “-was very similar.”

“You can say ‘is’.” Lizzy told him gently. “Nobody here but me.”

“She cooked much better than you can.”

“Yeah, that sounds about right.” Lizzy muttered. “But, in my defence, I didn’t know food could be any other colour than beige until I left school.” Shuffling where she sat, her legs starting to get pins and needles. “She pretty?”

“Knockout.”

“Wow.” She grinned. “Lucky you.”

“A lot taller than you.” Muldoon added. “Honour is likely going to hit six foot once she’s in high school.”

“Honour?”

“Our daughter.”

“Ah.” It occurred to Lizzy he’d never told her the name of his child before. Or ever used the prefix ‘our’. Always mine. Always my responsibility from now on. No more our.

It felt like he was divulging a massive secret. Honour. Lizzy rolled it around in her brain. Not a name she would ever have imagined him going for, but she liked it. Rather a lot.

He took the hat from his eyes and looked her up and down. “She’s almost your height already, in fact. Although that wouldn’t be difficult.”

“The diet of beige is to blame. Unfortunately, I’m stunted.” Not where it counts Muldoon thought. There was a reason he liked walking behind along Dr Armstrong where he could get away with it. The view was spectacular.

He tried very hard to get her quite frankly unfair side profile out of his head before he answered. “We’ll pretend the smoking habit had nothing to do with it, then. Honestly, the pair of you would have gotten along.” It was the truth. His wife, too, loved elephants and had a downright filthy laugh.

“Did Jeff know her?” Lizzy asked, hoping the answer was yes.

“They were lethal together.”

“Dr Blacklaw has quite excellent taste in women, what can I say?” She made a show of tossing her hair back. Muldoon found himself wondering if their paths had crossed sooner and he had met Armstrong in Africa, how would he have felt about her? How would she have felt about him?

Life might have been very different. Maybe he would have turned down the offer from InGen, gone to India instead. He wouldn’t have to be so careful about what he said or did all the time.

At least the other chap was out of the picture now. Matters were a damn sight better than when she first arrived with that rock on her finger, like a shameless beacon, flashing I’m taken every time the sun caught it at the right angle: You haven’t got a hope in Hell.

Maybe the universe was capable of working things out for itself, even if it had put him through the metaphorical wringer to get to this point.

“Has there-…” Lizzy was so relaxed she had forgotten herself, who she worked for, and all her manners. As the question was tumbling from her mouth she realised how inappropriate it was. They were good friends, sure, but working friendships always had their limits.

She was about to cross a very dangerous line.

“What?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Less of that. It clearly does, or you wouldn’t have said it.”

In a rare occasion, she seemed lost for words.

”Nobody here but me.” He quoted her own words back to her.

“I…don’t know if you’ll like it.” She fumbled. “I was just curious. Nosy. I was being nosy, alright? Sorry.”

“Try me.”

Lizzy knew that tone. I dare you. If you’re brave enough. Deep breath.

“Has there been…anyone since?”

I double dare you.

There followed a very long pause during which Lizzy thought don’t ask why, do not ask why.

“Why?”

Dammit.

She couldn’t be the only person on the planet who could see the appeal. More-so now that he’d stopped drinking, Lizzy had an even harder time keeping her thoughts in check. He was looking damn fine recently.

“Eight years is a long time!” Lizzy sighed and wrung her hands. “And I told you that you wouldn’t like it! Don’t answer. No need.”

“It’s alright.”

Muldoon was in fact very interested to see where this particular conversation was headed.

They could have been back in Kenya, with the campfire and animal calls, though of a different era, still familiar in their nature, all around them.

If there’s a right time, it’s probably now.

“Nobody significant.” He answered. One or two that didn’t work out. Three or four that had just been stress relief. Nobody that he felt deserved any more of his time or his life, or his daughter’s. Until Armstrong had landed on the island with a bang and instantly began rearranging the natural order, and damn her, questioning the where-why-how of everybloodything.

Lizzy meanwhile, was wishing she had never brought the subject up.

And she knew the reason. Not because it was awkward to talk about, strangely enough it wasn’t awkward in the slightest. His answer had been as casual as if she had asked him what the time was, or what the weather was likely to do tomorrow. But the answer she had most wanted to hear, been hoping to hear, no, nobody at all, was way too much to wish for.

She’d been correct. Eight years was a long time.

Or maybe Lizzy was just a little peeved he’d probably done better in the last eight years being out of a relationship than she had done being in one until very recently.

She had to admit the first two years with Simon had been a lot of fun. After that it became less about fun, and more about we’re in the same country, so we’d better do something about it. God, I’m so tired. Are you tired? C’mon, we gotta. At least once. I love you. So tired.

“Anything else in this particular line of questioning, while we’re at it?” He actually sounded amused.

“When…-“ Lizzy started then ground to a halt again. Way too inappropriate.

“When…?”

She just wanted to die there and then.

“Doesn’t matter.” She frowned and deliberately looked away. “Forget it.”

“Were you about to ask ‘when was the last time’?” Muldoon smirked. He knew he was on the money. And seeing the normally confident and bolshy ethologist becoming a little flustered was delightful. “Getting rather personal there, Armstrong.”

“You’re right, I’m sorry.” She stammered. “None of my business.”

“I honestly don’t mind.” This could work both ways. “We’re adults. I will if you will.”

Curiosity was burning Lizzy’s insides so much that it was manifesting as stomach ache. She had gotten herself into this mess, may as well keep going. She nodded, ignoring Kathy’s voice in her head warning you’re gonna get in troooouble…

“Remember when the dilophosaur did a number on you? I was away at the time?”

“Huh. So when you said you had a good trip, you meant you had a good trip. I see.” She played with the belt loops on her jeans, reluctant to deliver her side of the deal.

Muldoon cleared his throat. “Forgetting something, missus?”

“I’ve changed my mind. I don’t like this game.” Lizzy grumbled, only because she was losing.

“Then don’t give what you can’t take. I’ll have to make a wild guess if you don’t want to say out loud.”

Lizzy mumbled something that he took as affirmative.

“Let’s see, then.” She was shifty-eyed and squirming. Brilliant. “ Didn’t you stop off in the States with your man before you came over here?”

“Well, yeah-“ Lizzy forced herself to get over her self-consciouness. She still had the Spanish dictionary somewhere in her room in the lodge. Regrettably, the only thing Simon had given her before she boarded her flight to Costa Rica. “But if that’s your guess, you’re dead wrong.”

Muldoon looked at her in disbelief. He had so many questions. What the Hell had the man been playing at?! It was like he wanted to lose her.

“This year at least?”

“Yes, if you absolutely must know!” Lizzy knew the exact Pantone shade of scarlet she was turning, far beyond pretending it was from the heat of the campfire. “April was a very good month, okay?”

April?! It’s nearly bloody next year now…

Her short temper now seemed incredibly explainable.

”I can hear you thinking.” Lizzy said grumpily, still not looking directly at him. “Not quite the answer you were expecting from someone like me, eh?”

“If that’s true, I can’t help but feel most of your bad moods have a fairly easy fix.”

“Not so easy on a tiny island, where people talk. Our favourite engineer being the main culprit.” She grinned at him. “Or I could follow your example and finally have a good reason to go back to the mainland.”

He didn’t want her to do that at all, actually, but he grudgingly agreed.

She was lying on her side, propped up on an elbow. The size of her waist in comparison to her hips was unreal. Nothing wrong with her khaki shorts, but those damn jeans were doing her some incredible favours.

Lizzy couldn’t stop, though she was wary of feeling upset from finding out more things she didn’t really want to hear. “So, do you really like this person on the mainland?”

Muldoon chose his words carefully. ”There is someone I’m keen on, yes.”

What the-

“Oh. Yeah, great. Good for you.” It came out more sarcastic than she intended.

Muldoon nearly laughed. Armstrong wasn’t following him.

”You know, it’s alright to be jealous.” He couldn’t resist toying with her.

Lizzy’s reaction was explosive.

”I’m not-“ She practically back snarled at him. “Hm. I’m not jealous!”

Very convincing thought Muldoon.

No, not jealous. She was fuming. Someone else?! Why was he telling her that? Lizzy really thought he liked her, and now he was interested in someone else?

”Armstrong…” Please get there faster. I’m not ready to say it yet.

Boy, did she feel silly when she realised Muldoon was talking about her.

She was the one he was interested in.

”This person-“ Lizzy was finally on the same wavelength, much to the relief of both of them . “-I’m not sure she’s good enough for you.”

“Oh, really?” “I have some questions. Just to be certain.” The delighted grin was threatening to burst forth. She forced a neutral expression.

Keep it together.

“First question: is she pretty?”

“Very.”

“Intelligent?”

“She’s a clever girl, yes.”

“Meek and feeble?”

“Not even a bit. And you know fine that’s not what I would want.” Muldoon gave her that look she knew oh-so-well. “You’re pushing your luck, by the way.”

Lizzy laughed again, the real, uncontrollable laugh, and he finally smiled.

New Year’s Eve, or Hogmanay as she better knew it, had always been more magical than Christmas. No matter how bad things got, the moment the clock struck midnight had the promise of a new beginning, a fresh start. A chance to do better this time around.

But she knew exactly what would happen this year on Nublar. The spell would break. They would go back to the visitor centre, back to work, and in a few days it would be as if this night had never even happened.

She needed to do something. Before it all ended.

“You alright in there?” He had noticed her smile fading.

”Fine. Just thinking.”

Muldoon scoffed.

“I know well enough that fine, very rarely means fine. Especially when it’s coming from you, my girl.” He stared her down. “What’s the matter?”

“It’s just…not fair.” Lizzy became aware she was whining, and hated herself for it.

She didn’t need to elaborate. He knew exactly what she meant. “I agree.”

Why couldn’t we have just met in Africa?

”I don’t want to go back. Not yet.”

“Neither do I, but we have to, at some point.”

“Why, though?” Muldoon hesitated, trying to word it as diplomatically as he could, to avoid upsetting her.

“Because there are rules that can’t be broken, and ultimately I’m responsible for your safety.” Damn this whole situation. “That is what it all comes down to.”

“Okay.” She reluctantly agreed. “Let’s go, I suppose.”

It’s not okay, it’s not okay at all. A part of her had desperately hoped something would happen that night. Conditions were otherwise perfect. They’d likely never have a chance like this again for a long time.

But it wasn’t meant to be.

Unless…

She had an idea.

“Fire’s still going.” Lizzy stated flatly. “I’ll sort it out.” The ground was too hard to kick dirt over it. But she knew Muldoon kept a couple of metal jerry cans in the back of his Jeep. Not InGen protocol, just old habits.

One was water, one was gas. Labelled of course, but it was pitch black apart from the glowing embers nearby.

Don’t want to get these two mixed up.

She unscrewed the lid of the first container and got a noseful of fumes. Then checked the second, and bingo, slightly stale water that smelled like the colour green. But it was much heavier than she anticipated, almost full.

“Ooyah! Son of a bitch!” She’d tried to lift, lost grip, and somehow managed to trap her finger between the two cans with a bang.

“Everything alright back there?”

“It’s fine, under control!” Lizzy struggled to free herself, cursing under her breath at her own clumsiness. Idiot. “Shitshitshit, come on!”

She eventually succeeded, dousing the remains of the fire with a quiet sizzle and a faint wisp of smoke.

Darkness.

Muldoon hadn’t started the Jeep yet, waiting for her, there wasn’t any light at all in the clearing. She put the can in its place, then hung back by the tailgate, quiet and still.

And in three…two…one…

Muldoon didn’t take long to twig that something suspicious was afoot.

”Christ’s sake, Armstrong, don’t do it!” He sounded exasperated. “If you’re planning on playing hide and seek in the dark again, I’m not having it this time.”

She didn’t answer.

If he wasn’t into this, he’d just wait me out.

Lizzy was very quickly proven right.

“I know exactly where you are.” He kept up a stream of expletives in her general direction as he slammed the driver’s door. “I’ve being doing this for years. I’m very good at it.”

Come get me, then.

Lizzy didn’t even hardly dare breathe, placing her palm over her mouth to stay quiet. Silence.

For just a beat too long.

Hang on, where the Hell is he?

Lizzy realised she possibly no longer had the upper hand. A tiny, deliberate, shuffle of gravel under heavy boots right next to her, that made her jump and flatten her body against the taillights with a small thump.

He was close. Much closer than she thought. And she’d just given herself away.

“Got you.” Muldoon was attempting to sound put out, but he’d enjoyed that, as much was evident in his voice, she could tell. “Too easy.”

”Fair and square, mister. So, what are we going to do next?”

”You’re going to get in the Jeep, and we’re going back to the lodge.”

Lizzy leaned against the rear bumper, making the metal creak underneath her. Just so he knew exactly where she was.

”See, I don’t really feel like getting back in the Jeep right now, isn’t that a kicker?” She hoped the lip-bite was evident in how she coyly spoke. “What are you going to do about that?”

“I will pick you up.” Muldoon threatened. “Employee handbook be damned.”

“If that’s the case, handbook out the window, then I think you should do more than just ‘pick me up.’” She mimicked. “I’d let you.”

“Lizzy.” Deep, exasperated sigh. “I am using your first name so you know how serious I am. Get in the Jeep.”

She uttered the two words that she knew ahead of time would be the equivalent of a red rag to the park warden.

“Make me.”

God, she could feel the annoyance radiating from him. He was bristling.

But nothing could have prepared her for what happened next.

Lizzy heard him tapping impatiently on the side panel of the Jeep, it felt like a countdown.

Should I be runni-?

“Right-“ He was fast.

She wasn’t fast enough.

And really should have ran while she had the chance.

He was making good on his word that he would pick her up, willing or not, employee handbook, workplace code, the unspoken rules all thrown out of the window, never to be seen again.

Muldoon went straight for her legs, grabbing handfuls of her through her jeans. Damn woman, she would get in the bloody car.

Lizzy shrieked and flung out her arms, scrabbling for something, anything to grab onto, both hands found and gripped the sides of the Jeep tailgate.

Muldoon was trying his best to pry her free while she barely clung on for dear life with her fingernails, not unlike a cat that was avoiding being stuffed into a cage and carted off to the veterinary surgery.

She felt the pressure on her legs ease, and thought he’d given up. She started to loosen her fingers on the cool metal.

Then he found the backs of her knees with both hands, and pulled hard. But Lizzy wasn’t for letting go just yet. She still clung on for dear life like a very determined barnacle.

“By Christ, you’re strong-“ There was a hint of desperation in Muldoon’s normally measured voice.

That did it. Lizzy was gone then, she started laughing helplessly at the absurdity of what was happening, what events had led to this moment, and how ridiculous they must look. She finally lost her grip all at once and slid ungracefully downwards with a thump, accepting defeat, still cackling.

Lizzy just knew Muldoon was shaking his head in exasperation at her in the dark, his accident-prone, walking disaster of an ethologist.

“Sit up, you bloody lunatic.” But then her entire hand was grasped in his, pulling her upright into a sitting position. “For God’s sake, don’t bang your head. It might knock some sense into you, but I don’t fancy the paperwork.”

”It’s far too late for me.” Lizzy tried to catch her breath. “Would need to be one Hell of a bang.”

Realising the connotations too late, she snorted and muttered sorry as she tried to reason with her hair, patting it back into a more respectable shape.

She felt two fingers under her chin, tilting her face upwards and she tensed, her breath caught in her throat. “What am I going to do with you, Lizzy?”

The question was absolutely loaded.

”Anything you like.” She impulsively answered in a low voice.

She was euphoric, riding the high that had been building since the moment she stepped down out of the Jeep into the clearing, and honestly she just didn’t care any longer.

They would never be alone again after New Year’s Eve.

This was it. Her only chance for God knew how long.

She had it bad, so bad for him. And she couldn’t really remember just then why this was such a terrible idea in the first place. Something about those damn rules…

Eh, never been one for the rules anyway. Lizzy craned her neck upwards, stretching as far as she possibly could, relying on her intuition alone in the dark.

She found what she was searching for and after a last moment of hesitation, she finally did it. She kissed him.

He pulled away slightly, unsure. Lizzy felt sick that she’d misjudged horribly, and was starting to seriously panic with how she could possibly play this one off.

I…fell?

But she could have cried with relief when he apparently got over the surprise and began kissing her in return, leaning into her. Responding to her.

It felt so right, so bizarrely normal, that Lizzy found herself briefly wondering why they hadn’t been doing this the whole damn time they’d known each other.

Slow and hesitant at first. Then something simultaneously clicked for the both of them, and it turned into an altogether different experience. Urgent, messy, not at all careful, not what Lizzy was used to at all.

Lizzy feared the lamps would click on and flood the clearing with light at any second. Like they had to hurry before they were caught, as if John Hammond himself might pop out of the bushes, brandishing his cane, gotcha!

But it didn’t matter. This was what she’d needed. She hadn’t realised how much she needed it, that she wanted this so badly. For far longer than the past few months of living in Costa Rica.

She realised she didn’t mind so much anymore if she banged her head on the floor of Jeep. Repeatedly. In fact, at this moment in time she’d be glad of it. They might not make it back to the lodge.

But as quickly as had happened, it was over. Fate had very different ideas for how the night would progress.

He pushed a little too hard into her hips, and oh God it’s happening, forcing her backwards against the bed of the Jeep as Lizzy let her legs relax and fall further apart. It was evidently far too much for the built-in motion sensor, and the alarm in the vehicle began blaring like a police siren at ear-splitting volume, all lights flashing in unison. The Rex snorted and roared unhappily at the disturbance from the other side of the fence, only adding to the din. The noise had the same effect as if someone had poured a bucket of ice cold water over them.

“Shit-“ Lizzy shot upright, pulling away and covered her ears while Muldoon fumbled for the Jeep keys to stop the racket.

Then silence. Deafening, smothering silence. Even the Rex was quiet. A single hadrosaur trumpeted in the distance.

She waited, unsure what to do next, she couldn’t read his expression in the dark, but he felt off. Something was badly wrong.

“I’m taking you back now.” Muldoon said tersely. “I would really appreciate it if you just do what I ask this time.”

”Okay.” She knew better than to argue.

“That was out of order.” He continued icily. “That cannot happen again.”

“Got it. Sorry.” Lizzy felt the heat rising in her cheeks. Goddamn embarrassment, flooding every cell. I can’t believe this. I’ve blown it. “I’m really sorry.”

He didn’t respond as she shuffled into the passenger side and quietly buckled her seatbelt. He wouldn’t even look at her. She tried again, one last attempt.

I’m using your first name so you know how serious I am.

”Robert, I’m really sorry.”

Please believe me.

Please answer me.

She‘d never used his name before, ever. This wasn’t the pleading circumstances she wanted to use it for the first time. Not at all.

Her efforts didn’t work.

”Don’t do that.” Muldoon replied flatly, starting the engine while staring straight ahead. “We’ll deal with this in the morning.”

Lizzy’s heart plummeted, her chest constricting, aching with that too familiar pain all over again.

Her stomach was flipping back and forth in sheer panic for the entire silent-and-not-in-a-good-way journey back to the lodge.

She didn’t even bother trying for a goodnight as they parted ways to their own rooms. Neither of them did. I’ve really done it this time.

Months of building a rapport, gone in an instant because of one false judgement. And what if he told Jeff what she’d done? What if anyone on the island, at InGen, found out what she’d done?

The rumours that had been swirling around would finally be true. There were names Lizzy would be called that she couldn’t just brush off anymore. Nobody would take her, or her work, seriously ever again. She’d be an outcast.

All terrible things. But worst of all was Muldoon refusing to acknowledge her. That was the reason she was trying her damnedest not to cry. Stupid. Stupid, stupid idiot!

It had turned out to be too much too soon. Maybe too much ever.

Why do I always do this? Why do I always ruin everything?

***

Thanks for reading!

If a particular anecdote sounds familiar, I mayyyyy have drawn some inspiration from George of the Jungle (this is very important for later 🎶)

The story I envisioned Muldoon telling Lizzy is along the lines of Peter Capstick’s black mamba in the latrine story from Death in the Long Grass. If you want some idea of just how funny it is, I’ve read it multiple times and know what’s coming almost verbatim. I still laugh every time I read it.

And hearing Muldoon calmly recount one of the many times he’s almost checked out early would be, I imagine, quite hilarious.

I can’t believe I finally got to post this chapter. It’s been here since the very first draft, it’s quite special to me as New Year, or Hogmanay as we call it, is a much bigger deal in Scotland. A very important tradition is the first foot, which is supposed to bring you good fortune for the year ahead.

…I guess they did it wrong.

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